Astronomers: Western Kentucky Town Best Place To Watch Solar Eclipse

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky (LEX 18) August 21, 2017 will be the first time in 38 years that a total solar eclipse will cross into parts of the U.S. Astronomers say the best place to witness it will be in Western Kentucky.

The Great American Eclipse is set to begin to take shape in the midday hours. People from as far as Ireland and Japan are planning to come out and visit Hopkinsville to see the eclipse.

Brooke Jung, the Hopkinsville Solar Eclipse Coordinator, says Hopkinsville, Kentucky will have the best view of the corona, which is the ring visible when the moon completely covers up the sun.

The city of Hopkinsville has started to sell sunglasses to people so they will not have vision damage when they look at the eclipse.

“Our community found out about this 8 to 10 years ago. Ever since then, the wheels have been put into motion. I think even more so in the last two months,” said Jung.

Hopkinsville has about 31,000 people. Jung told LEX 18 that they are expecting tens of thousands of people coming in for the eclipse.

CINCINNATI (LEX 18)-- The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is expressing its gratitude to Zoo visitors this weekend for their continued support. They are offering visitors half-price admission during Visitor Appreciation Days on Aug. 18 and 19. Tickets for kids and seniors will range between $6 and $10.50. For adults the price will range between $8.50 and $13. "Spend one of the final weekends of summer enjoying the best of the Zoo’s summer lineup...

CINCINNATI (LEX 18)-- The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is expressing its gratitude to Zoo visitors this weekend for their continued support. They are offering visitors half-price admission during Visitor Appreciation Days on Aug. 18 and 19. Tickets for kids and seniors will range between $6 and $10.50. For adults the price will range between $8.50 and $13. "Spend one of the final weekends of summer enjoying the best of the Zoo’s summer lineup...

ESTILL COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Estill County High School's girls soccer coach has been placed on leave as police investigate allegations involving sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to one of his teenage players. Estill County Schools Superintendent Jeff Saylor confirmed to LEX 18 that the coach, Andrew Hatton, was put on leave Monday morning while school officials and Kentucky State Police investigate. Relatives of teenager tell LEX 18 that Hatton sent pornogr...

ESTILL COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Estill County High School's girls soccer coach has been placed on leave as police investigate allegations involving sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to one of his teenage players. Estill County Schools Superintendent Jeff Saylor confirmed to LEX 18 that the coach, Andrew Hatton, was put on leave Monday morning while school officials and Kentucky State Police investigate. Relatives of teenager tell LEX 18 that Hatton sent pornogr...

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Appearing on "The Brian Thomas Show" Tuesday morning, Gov. Matt Bevin referred opponents of pension reform as "drowning victims" who need to be "knocked out" for their own good. The governor was talking about the battle he has fought over Senate Bill 151. He told Thomas that the pension system had to be saved, but it was difficult when those affected by the bill continued to fight him.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Appearing on "The Brian Thomas Show" Tuesday morning, Gov. Matt Bevin referred opponents of pension reform as "drowning victims" who need to be "knocked out" for their own good. The governor was talking about the battle he has fought over Senate Bill 151. He told Thomas that the pension system had to be saved, but it was difficult when those affected by the bill continued to fight him.